A new Beach and Cliff Management Plan is being developed to help Budleigh Salterton respond to the growing challenges of coastal erosion, flooding and climate change.
East Devon District Council, in partnership with South West Flood & Coastal, is developing a new Beach and Cliff Management Plan (BCMP) for Budleigh Salterton. The plan aims to address evolving risks from coastal erosion, cliff falls, flooding and climate change, while protecting the town’s distinctive landscape and environmental designations.
Since the adoption of the Shoreline Management Plan in 2011, Budleigh Salterton has experienced cliff falls, blocked outfalls and changes affecting sections of the South West Coast Path. While some areas of the beach remain relatively stable, others are facing increasing pressures from coastal change.
The new plan will assess coastal processes, review existing defences and explore practical adaptation options for the future. Potential measures include maintaining and improving coastal infrastructure, enhancing access and identifying opportunities that support the town’s long-term resilience.
A key feature of the BCMP is its adaptive approach, which seeks to balance environmental, social and economic considerations within realistic funding constraints. This reflects the growing need for coastal communities to plan for change and respond flexibly as climate impacts evolve.
Community engagement will play an important role in shaping the plan, with five rounds of consultation proposed. The first, scheduled for December 2025, will include a public drop-in session and online survey to gather local views and knowledge.
By bringing together evidence, local knowledge and long-term planning, the project aims to help Budleigh Salterton prepare for future coastal challenges while protecting the places, services and landscapes that matter most to the community.
Read more on the East Devon District Council website.
How Is This Helping DCIoS Adapt To Climate Change?
Action HBEE 2: Local Planning Authorities to identify Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs) wherever rates of shoreline change are expected to be significant and implement appropriate regulations to manage development in these areas.
Action HBEE 3: Local Planning Authorities to ensure that their Local Plans utilise and build upon the findings and direction provided by strategic documents dealing with coastal change (e.g. Shoreline Management Plans, Coastal Change Management Areas, Flood Risk Management Plans etc).
Action HBEE 5: Policymakers to investigate the legal, financial and practical means by which coastal communities facing significant adaptation challenges might be helped – so that realistic Adaptation Plans can be developed and delivered where needed.
